Home About Join Events Directory Consulting Blog Archives Press Advertise Contact How to Manufacture a New Product Overseas By startupprincess | Published November 28, 2007 Our Fabulous Fairy Godmother Heather Allard is Founder of Swaddleaze and 2 Virtues and is now a consultant for women entrepreneurs at The Mogul Mom. Are you completely overwhelmed by the thought of finding an overseas manufacturer? I was too and that’s why I initially had my product, Swaddleaze, manufactured here in the United States, a decision that cost me thousands and thousands of dollars and nearly sunk my business in the first year.After searching through a gigantic apparel manufacturers directory, I found a mill that specialized in children’s apparel. They quoted me a “cut and sew” price that seemed fair and I contracted them to produce my first run of Swaddleaze. What I didn’t realize was that I then had to source all the materials for my product and have the goods shipped to the manufacturer before they could begin production. I spent hours researching U.S. companies that made textiles, zippers, packaging, labels and more.I then purchased thousands of dollars of fabric, zippers, Velcro, interior labels, hangtags, packaging, inserts and price stickers and had everything trucked down south. The shipping cost was sometimes more than the cost of materials! My credit cards were practically melting and I had just begun this venture.When the manufacturer had finally finished the production run and had shipped the goods to me, each piece ended up costing $15.85! I had no idea how I would ever turn a profit at this rate. After selling through this initial run and almost going under, I made the decision to find an overseas manufacturer, no matter how daunting that task was.It took me about six months and a ton of “Googling” before I found an overseas manufacturer that was perfect for my needs. So how do you go about finding a manufacturer overseas that’s right for your business? Here are the steps that will make that process faster, easier and less scary for you. 1. Before contacting overseas manufacturers, take the time to familiarize yourself with the terminology with this indispensable dictionary of trade, shipping and export terms at ExportBureau. This will help you feel confident when speaking to foreign manufacturers and will let them know that you’ve done your research. Some of the most common terms are: Lead time this is the time between placing an order with a manufacturer and when the order is delivered. Minimums how many pieces of a particular item you have to order. Usually, the more you order, the more affordable the price is. Terms this usually means how and when the manufacturer will be paid (T/T, wire transfer, net 30 days, etc). T/T this means that you wire transfer half the amount of the order before the manufacturer begins work and the other half at completion. The manufacturer will give their wiring instructions. 2. Ask around if you know other women who make products, ask them who their manufacturer is and then contact that company about pricing. Be sure to mention who referred you, as this will often get you a speedier reply. (If any of you are looking for a great apparel manufacturer, I’d be happy to refer you to mine. Contact me for more information.) 3. Use Alibaba, a global trade website that puts products, suppliers and buyers in touch with each other. Some Chinese suppliers are labeled “Gold Suppliers” which distinguishes them as premium, reputable suppliers. They are required to meet stringent criteria before becoming a Gold Supplier and are usually a safe bet. Once you’ve found a handful of manufacturers, contact them for pricing, terms, lead time and minimums. If possible, look for a manufacturer that will provide you with a complete package (also called FOB package). This means that the manufacturer will source all materials, produce the goods, package the goods, pack the goods, ship the goods and arrange for customs clearance and receipt of goods here in the U.S. and finally, have the goods trucked to you or your fulfillment center. 4. Compare pricing and service and then request samples. If there are any safety guidelines for your product, you must provide the manufacturer with those guidelines/criteria. Most overseas manufacturers are not familiar with US safety regulations set forth by the CPSC. Refer to CPSC.gov for more information. If you’re unsure about your product safety requirements, you can email a CPSC employee and they will assist you. 5. Once you’ve reviewed all samples and compared pricing, choose the manufacturer that’s right for your product or business and begin the production process. Then, breathe a big sigh of relief because YOU DID IT!If you follow these steps, you’ll find out the same thing I did that manufacturing overseas isn’t so scary or overwhelming after all. It’s an exciting step that can often be the beginning of big success for you and your company. Share This entry was posted in Feature, Startup & Grow and tagged how to develop a new product, how to manufacture a product in China, how to manufacture overseas. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL. « Trademark Tips for Your Business Startup Princess Kingdom News * November 30 » Profile Sign in with Twitter Sign in with Facebook or Name EmailNot published Website Comment CommentLuv badge 80 Replies 78 Comments 0 Tweets 0 Facebook 2 Pingbacks Last reply was 4 months ago Cassandra Hendricks February 18, 2010 Forgot to leave contact info. sorry, I can be reached at sandywilms@yahoo. Thank you!!! Paul March 2, 2010 Hi Heather, thanks for the great advice. I was wondering, I have found a manufacturer from China and talked at length to the CEO at a trade fair about a product that I would like manufactured. The CEO signed my NDA there and then. I sent an email with my request.The CEO said he would work on my product after the Chinese New Year holidays. My question is this: No contracts have been drawn up, when should this happen? How do I go about arranging things formally as I do not wish to find a nasty surprise later. Also, where can I find information about shipping costs etc to the UK? Thanks Gerchen April 13, 2010 Hi there, I’ve got a manufacturing company based in South Africa. We produce dress tees shirts etc. As well as women’s line. Feel free to contact me via email at gerchenherold@gmail Julie April 13, 2010 Has anyone ever had any business relationship with syxiuqiu in china as a manufacturer? If so, was it positive? Any response would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks. Cindy August 28, 2010 I have an idea for a glove that arose out of a need at my work. At first, I thought to do it all myself and get it manufactured in China. Through the Alibaba website, I contacted various manufacturers who sent samples. So far, I have been underwhelmed. I am finding it difficult to get the proper fit and exactly what I need. I thought perhaps to license my product idea to someone in the business and contacted the founder of glove guru. He was receptive to hearing development ideas. He told me to send a confidentiality agreement which he would sign then call and pitch the idea. Can you give me advice how to write it up a mini script to best sell my idea or to direct me to a book that can help? Also… if I choose to do this directly all myself, how do I get a proper prototype. I have been unsuccessful so far in manifesting my vision. Thanks for any help. Maisie February 28, 2011 I am looking for company to manufacture Apparel made from linen with afrocentric design if anyone can help I would appreciate this pascal May 12, 2011 hi great article, did you use any kind of confidential contract and protection about your product? thanks p ada July 1, 2011 Hi, Heather I was reading some of the comment you have there are very intrested. My question for you that I have an invetion made already and have a prototype also. I sent my idea to Davison company. things did not work for me. I spend so many with this company. that I finally took my own idea and my prototype away from them. Now I am staring to find a investor or manufacturer my prototype. please give some idea where to start. I hate to scammed again. thank you Jimmy Flores July 21, 2011 Hi, i need a manufacturer in China do you have any body in mine or recommend. THKS……JIM James August 4, 2011 This article is very insightful, very helpful too, but I have only one single objection: don`t you ever, EVER rely on Alibaba, because you are pretty much left to your fate there. This “good supplier” thing is completely, totally, entirely deceptive. I once ordered a MacBook Air from a supposedly “good supplier” (I wanted to resell it locally at a higher price, simple trading) and all they shipped was three knock-off mobile phones, pure garbage! One was a HTC knock-off, the other a Nokia one. The other, well… The other was a hideous “wristwatch cell phone” with a Apple-ish logo on it (without the bite). I felt angry and embarrassed. When I complained to their customer service, things got worse. Their response was basically “Just keep it. Oh, and nobody else complained, so why are you? Just sell these crap and get over it”, can you believe it? And when I escalated the case to Alibaba, all they said was the “We just intermediate the negotiation, we are not liable for anything” stuff. Then I tried to order something else from another “good supplier”, and this time, I would “do the homework”, check the reputability of the supplier and so on. I ended up giving up trying to find a trustworthy company, do you know why? Because when I asked for documents like articles of incorporation or business tax ID number, and they said it was “confidential” or simply denied my request. Hello? How can I do business with a company that refuses to provide BASIC information? Would you do business blindfolded like this? So, do yourself a favor, and JUST AVOID ALIBABA.COM AT ALL COSTS. If you do find a good Chinese supplier there, consider yourself lucky, because odds are you are not going to. Just Google “alibaba scam” without quotes and you will know what I mean. startupprincess August 5, 2011 James, thanks for your insights, we definitely don’t want anyone to get scammed!! Thanks for sharing. Lewis S. Sims September 4, 2011 hello my name is Lewis Sims and im a patent designer and im also having the same problem trying to find a Manufacture in the USA to have a prototype made . But when i came across your blog in Google and read what you have done to get started on your prototype Manufacture in china, It made me see that dream dose come true ! So if i may ask you the name of the Manufacture company you’ve done business with in china to have your prototype made it really means alot to me and my mind would be at easy. thank you ! P.S my email address lewissims@yahoo & lewissims@gmail & shadon122@hotmail just need a little help again thank you Corinne September 20, 2011 Hi :) I have a design for a pair of earrings that I made in the past bit can no longer make the same one due to the fact that I can no longer find the same materials used ;( I want to know what company would you recommend for this project that I want to take to the next level ? rjaber September 27, 2011 thank you Carlie Pinder October 6, 2011 I have a sandal I want to make in several colors. They are pretty simple and I have one to show the people who would make my sample to present to the manufacturer. There are a few things that I want to change with the sandal though. then I want to start to wholesale the line. Eventually, developing other styles. I had someone who I thought was helping me and was a manufacturer in China and I haven’t heard from him and he had several of my other samples. What i need to find is someone who can help me produce these sandals at a cost effective price. Not sure what my first step should be for this. Help! Suzie Rabii October 12, 2011 I am starting a new business & need help to find a manufacturer overseas. Found a rep here in US for India but dishonesty destroyed that relationship. Could you give me the name & number of your manufacturer? The product is a backpack/bedroll which requires sewing. Miss Connie Suen October 15, 2011 We are manufcturer as well as exporter over twenty years in Hong Kong, Production location in China and our products are exported to U.S.A. mainly any kind of babies/infants/boys/girls apparels (such as woven and knitted pants,dresses,jackets,overalls, T-shirts hats, booties etc…) If you want to find supplier to work to start business in China, let us try and have this opportunity to make your ideal products. thanks a lot Jenn November 26, 2011 I need to send my specs to manufacturers for quotes. It is a baby bedding item. I have a non-disclosure and am patent pending. I am worried about sending the specs overseas because I am not protected. Does anyone know of any manufacturers overseas that use organic materials and have sustainable practices? My product is eco-friendly and organic and I am trying to find a manufacturer that matches well with my product. Riri December 4, 2011 Hi Heather, Thank you for your sharing such an informative blog with us. I can’t even describe just how helpful this has been to me! I dropped out of university a few months ago and have since been a “disappointment” to my family. I had to drop out so I could once and for all follow my dream in life and become a fashion designer! I have come up with a brand name, designed my first collection, and have got in touch with a company who want to sell my clothes. I have contacted several, several overseas manufacturers but all have failed me. I was beginning to doubt my choices and starting to believe that I was in fact nothing but a huge disappointment :( but I am not going to give up on my dreams! If only I could find a good, reliable manufacturer who gave reasonably priced quotes… Please, is there any way that you could help me? Thank you John January 15, 2012 Hi there Heather, What a great article and thank you for writing it. Although I do have one question and that is regarding what you have said in step number 5. When you say “review all samples” do you mean the designs that we have sent to manufacturers and they have made it and sent a sample back or an off the shelf sample? Thanks for clarifying, I await your response. australian clothing manufacturer February 6, 2012 We are garments Makers in Sydney, australian clothing manufacturer, garments manufacturer, Garments Manufacturer in Australia, Garment maker in Brisbane, Clothing maker, australian clothing manufacturer, Clothing manufacturer in Australia and clothing maker in sydney. Parisriv March 5, 2012 This is such helpful information! I’ve been looking at manufacturers overseas. Whats an OEM does it mean that they can’t do my specific design and I would just have to get their design? Gwendolyn March 19, 2012 first I want to thank you for all the help,this is a blesssing. I want to know if our products ares protected over sea to an extent.or if we will have to get it protection over there also Katja 11 months ago Thank you so much, looking into Indian Manufacturing possibilities….your shared information is mighty useful Pete 9 months ago I just used Ultrasource International to create a new yard game. They were able to send me a sample within a month and ended up tweaking the design to make it more durable. It took about 3 months for me to get my first shipment in. I think they can manufacture just about anything… Personalized Cloth 6 months ago Always ensure that you deal with trustworthy, professional and legit companies by seeking references from those that have worked with them before. These manufacturing businesses should also offer secure payment methods and a sample of clothes should also be inspected before any agreement of purchase is to be confirmed. With the advent of social media you have the ability to also check references through these avenues. Personalized Cloth´s last [type] ..Personalized Tank Tops penelope whiteley 5 months ago Hit the wrong button on the phone! Will you b kind enough to mail me with anything that may be helpful that isn’t in the article? Thank you so much. penelope whiteley´s last [type] ..The Gentle Art of Scarf Tying Blanca Castro 5 months ago Could you please email me or contact me with your manufactors info please..I am very interested in getting my clothing and designs out into the market and your experience and satisfactory is very peace minding :) Eva 4 months ago Hi, please I need some help. I am looking for a chinese manufacture to produce one product according to my design and specifications. Basically it would consist of a metal spring of a certain shape and characteristics, covered by plastic and with certain specifications. Has anybody faced a challenge like that before? I am in Europe, and whils I can get a good product here, there is no chance I can get a competitive price. Help! Daisy Christina 4 months ago While Reading this post me i have got some diplomatic ideas related to manufacturers who design the products to export overseas because the only they can produce through is quality it will enumerate the exact need of products in industrial manufacturing thanks for the share. Comment navigation ← Older Comments Make a Wish, Make it Happen! Follow Us icons_08 icons_09 icons_10 icons_11 icons_12 Sign Up for Our Newsletter and Receive the Free Video "Finding Time for Your Passions!" First Name * Email * State * Contact Me \"Free Recommended as Top Resource for Women Entrepreneurs Costco Connection Entrepreneur VBN Content Bloggers Become A Startup Princess Startup Princess is an international network committed to empowering Women Entrepreneurs by offering resources for women in business to support, mentor, collaborate, learn from, and inspire one another. 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